MovieChat Forums > The Desperate Hours (1955) Discussion > My problem was that it was on the Univer...

My problem was that it was on the Universal backlot

posted 9 years ago by jgroub
10 replies | jump to latest

This is a pretty good picture, all in all. Yeah, there's some miscasting going on. March is too old; Gig Young is so old he shoulda been Gig Old. The cops are all pretty good; a lotta familiar faces. But it's a good story, good script, well-written.

The thing that just leaps out at me is that this is clearly - INCREDIBLY CLEARLY - filmed on Universal's back lot. It's called Colonial Street, and you have literally seen it 100 times. This movie, to The Twilight Zone, to Leave It to Beaver, The Munsters, Psycho, right up to the aptly named Desperate Housewives.

It's that angle of the bend in the road, and those short little lampposts. They're dead giveaways. It bugs me that a high-budget picture like this, with two big leads, would cheap out by doing this. Not being a Desperate Housewives fan, all I could think about was The Twilight Zone's The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street.

I want the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.

[–] rj968 9 years ago

Did you ever stop to think that the familiarity of the scenery added to overall feeling of the movie? That this situation could occur in a normal everyday recognizable neighborhood heightens the suspense and sense of uneasiness the audience is supposed to feel.

[–] fbm72751 9 years ago

I've been to Indianapolis a number of times. There are some neighborhoods that look like that in the film but the houses are bunched more together and not to mention some of those older neighborhoods have gone down hill since then.

[–] MissMargoChanning (6630) 7 years ago

I have no problem with it. It gives one a sense of security. Like nothing bad could happen here. Then? It does!
Now that you mentioned it, I do see that as the same street as The Twilight Zone's The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street. I also see it as Beaver's and Wally's street! Love it!

[–] Culburn (3638) 7 years ago

One of the first movies I saw on television.

Too much to unpack. Nonetheless I'll try:::

You cannot understand this as child, but, I God's it all comes pouring in as adult. The boundless waste of the brother. The later it gets the more they (both) realize what has been done, even the eldest. At the last he finds shame, bless his blackened heart.

The rage in "Glenn." It wasn't a problem at 8 years old. 5+ decades later it's difficult to bear witness. Bogart accomplished that in 2 hours.

The cops, at youth you just pass it off. Now you can see, feel the intense nature of the death hunt. Arthur Kennedy, Ray Teal, and Ray Collin. Could not have been trusted to better hands. The hushed tones in that attic, muted lighting. It's all there.

Finally,,,that flash glance at Bogart's fixed pupils before they toss the cover. They must have debated leaving that on the cutting room floor many a production meeting. I don't know why, but, I wait for it every freakin' time. It's so lethal.

Film. American film.

[–] MissMargoChanning (6630) 7 years ago

It is a great movie. I agree, but I'm confused. What does that have to do with this particular thread?
The OP was talking about the Street this was filmed on.
No big deal. I'm glad to see another fan of this film. I just watched it again this morning.

[–] Culburn (3638) 7 years ago

I blurted again. Please forgive me, people.

[–] MissMargoChanning (6630) 7 years ago

Not a problem! There's nobody here except you and me...... at the moment, anyway. The other fans of this film posted two years ago on IMDb. We are just talking to old posts. I see some of my old posts from years ago here too!
It's OK though. That is the way to get things going on these individual boards. I talk to the people who are no longer here in order to continue good conversations. Somebody like you sees the movie in the Trending Bar and decides to join in on the conversation. This happens a whole lot. It's a good thing because it keeps these boards going. Eventually more folks will talk more often on these individual boards. It will feel more like IMDb...... except it might be nicer, because the people here are a bit friendlier.🍺

[–] Culburn (3638) 7 years ago

Yes. I see those old titles come up in the line, it hits a nerve like this one and I get giddy. All the memories and frankly, angst boils up & over. This movie had a profound effect on me. One could feel the grip of this movie's plot and aim. I really should not have been watching this at 8 years old. It left me frightened and sad. I knew something was terribly wrong. The murder of the junk man is unforgettable. It spoils the movie to a degree. But, I understand it's inclusion. He's just so screwed the moment Middleton climbs into that cab with him. It's awful. I won't watch any of that now. I buzz thru it.

[–] goldenagefilmstv (178) 2 years ago

I was really hoping Patterson would escape, after his daring act in crashing the truck.

[–] Jes' Sayin' (6466) 7 years ago

I wonder about the assumption that it was big budget. Big stars sometimes took pay cuts for prestige projects. The opening titles were pretty primitive. Etc.